The fish can be found from intertidal areas to 15 meters in depth.

[1] In general, they are not found in tide pools.

[1] The slimy snailfish ranges in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean from Sitka, Alaska to southern British Columbia, Canada as well as to Baja California, Mexico.

[4][3] The slimy snailfish's color varies from gray to brownish to red, and occasionally the fish has dark stripes.

[4] The fish's gill slit extends to the front of the upper pectoral fin rays.